POLSC412: International Law

Unit 3: Territory and SovereigntyUnit 3
Time Advisory
This unit will take you approximately 10 hours to complete.

☐ Subunit 3.1: 3 hours

☐ Subunit 3.2: 5 hours

☐ Subunit 3.3: 2 hours

Unit3 Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
- Explain the application and impact of international law to
territorial boundaries and diplomatic missions.
- Explain how international laws are enforced on the world’s oceans.
- Assess the effectiveness of strategies used throughout history to
deal with piracy on the high seas.
- Explain how the United Nations and its subordinate agencies attempt
to keep the peace and enforce borders in conflicted regions.
- Assess the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council,
International Court of Justice, and International Criminal Court at
enforcement of international laws pertaining to territorial
boundaries, admiralty, and piracy.

3.1 Territory and SovereigntyDisputes over territory have plagued nations throughout history. In
this unit, you will explore laws that have been developed to prevent or
mitigate these types of conflicts.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

3.2 Laws of the SeaIn this unit, you will learn about laws that govern oceanic passage and
commerce, including historical and modern attempts to prevent and punish
piracy on the high seas.

Reading: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International
Law: Judge Tullio Treves’ “United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea”
Link: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International Law:
Judge Tullio Treves’ “United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea” (PDF)

Instructions: Click on the “Related Materials” tab and then click
to download the file titled “United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea.” Please review Judge Treves’ article on the Law of the
Sea.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

Reading: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International
Law: Judge Tullio Treves’ Lecture Notes on “The New Law of the Sea
and the Settlement of Disputes”
Link: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International Law:
Judge Tullio Treves’ Lecture Notes on “The New Law of the Sea and
the Settlement of
Disputes”
(PDF)

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

Web Media: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of
International Law: Judge Tullio Treves’ “The New Law of the Sea and
the Settlement of Disputes”
Link: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International Law:
Judge Tullio Treves’ “The New Law of the Sea and the Settlement of
Disputes”
(RealPlayer Video)

Instructions: Click on the link titled “English” in the middle of
the page. Please watch the video presentation (38 mins.).

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

Reading: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International
Law: Malcolm Shaw’s Lecture Notes on “Principles of Maritime
Delimitation”
Link: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International Law:
Malcolm Shaw’s Lecture Notes on “Principles of Maritime
Delimitation”
(PDF)

Instructions: Click on the “Related Materials” tab and then click
to download the file titled “Outline of Lecture.” Review Dr. Shaw’s
lecture notes prior to viewing his video presentation below.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

Web Media: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of
International Law: Malcolm Shaw’s “Principles of Maritime
Delimitation”
Link: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International Law:
Malcolm Shaw’s “Principles of Maritime
Delimitation”
(RealPlayer Video)

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

Web Media: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of
International Law: Judge Helmut Tuerk’s “The Landlocked States and
the Law of the Sea”
Link: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International Law:
Judge Helmut Tuerk’s “The Landlocked States and the Law of the
Sea” (RealPlayer
Video)

Instructions: Click on the link titled “Video” under the
“Landlocked States and the Law of the Sea” heading. Please watch
the video presentation (32 mins.).

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

Web Media: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of
International Law: Judge Helmut Tuerk’s “The Resurgence of Piracy: A
Phenomenon of Modern Times”
Link: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International Law:
Judge Helmut Tuerk’s “The Resurgence of Piracy: A Phenomenon of
Modern
Times”
(RealPlayer Video)

Instructions: Click on the link titled “Video” under the “A
Resurgence of Piracy: A Phenomenon of Modern Times” heading. Please
watch the video presentation (44 mins.).

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

3.3 Diplomatic Protection and Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA)In this unit, you will learn how international law protects diplomatic
missions and military forces.

Instructions: Please go to the linked page and scroll down to find
the article, dated January 5, 2011 to read the CRS report, which
explains the history and application of SOFA agreements under
international law.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.

Web Media: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of
International Law: John Dugard’s “Diplomatic Protection”
Link: The United Nations’ Audiovisual Library of International Law:
John Dugard’s “Diplomatic
Protection”
(RealPlayer Video)

Instructions: Click on the link titled “Video” in the middle of the
page. Please watch the video presentation (48 mins.).

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpages above.